Padres hang hopes on Garland's durability

FILE - In this Aug. 18, 2009 file photo, Arizona Diamondbacks' Jon Garland pitches in the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Philadelphia. The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Garland from the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night, Aug. 31, 2009. Also joining the Dodgers' lineup is Chicago White Sox first baseman Jim Thome. The deals were announced in the top of the eighth inning of the Dodgers-Diamondbacks game, with both trades completed before the midnight EDT deadline required for postseason eligibility. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
— AP

FILE - In this Aug. 18, 2009 file photo, Arizona Diamondbacks' Jon Garland pitches in the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Philadelphia. The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Garland from the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night, Aug. 31, 2009. Also joining the Dodgers' lineup is Chicago White Sox first baseman Jim Thome. The deals were announced in the top of the eighth inning of the Dodgers-Diamondbacks game, with both trades completed before the midnight EDT deadline required for postseason eligibility. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
/ AP

SAN DIEGO – The Padres made their most significant acquisition of the off-season Tuesday when they signed free-agent pitcher Jon Garland — a proven major league starter still in the prime of his career.

Garland, 30, had a combined 11-13 record with a 4.01 ERA last year with Arizona and the Los Angeles Dodgers while working more than 200 innings for the fifth time in the past six seasons.

Garland is scheduled to make $4.7 million this season, but is actually guaranteed $5 million, making him the second-highest-paid Padre behind fellow right-handed starting pitcher Chris Young ($6.25 million).

First baseman Adrian Gonzalez is guaranteed $4.75 million and could make another $500,000 in reachable performance bonuses.

Garland also has a mutual option for $6.75 million for 2011. He will get a $600,000 buyout if the Padres refuse to exercise the option and $300,000 if he declines.

Garland joins a starting rotation that is projected to include Young, Mat Latos, Kevin Correia and Clayton Richard. Other possible starters include Tim Stauffer, Wade LeBlanc and Sean Gallagher.

Garland said he is excited to be joining the Padres.

“San Diego has one of the last pitcher’s parks,” said the 6-foot-6, 205-pound Garland. “Petco Park is a place where I saw myself pitching.”

Petco Park and the native Southern Californian’s desire to pitch close to home apparently played major roles in Garland’s decision to sign with the Padres.

Garland recently rejected a two-year, $15 million offer from the Washington Nationals. He was also being courted by the New York Mets, among other teams.

As for the Padres, Garland is a crucial addition.

He has averaged 32.4 starts and 2051/3 innings a year over his eight full seasons as a major league starter. He won 18 games in both 2005 and 2006 with the Chicago White Sox and was a member of the American League All-Star team in 2005.

Garland has a 117-102 career record with a 4.42 ERA.

The 10th overall pick in the 1997 draft, Garland moved across Chicago from the Cubs to White Sox in 1998 and broke into the major leagues with the White Sox in 2000.

After posting a 92-81 record in eight seasons with the White Sox, Garland, who was born in Valencia, signed with the Los Angeles Angels for $12 million as a free agent before the 2008 season. He was 14-8 with a 4.90 ERA in 32 starts for the Angels.

A free agent again last winter, Garland got $6.25 million from Arizona.

Garland was 8-11 with Arizona with a 4.29 ERA in 27 starts before being traded to the Dodgers on Aug. 31. He was 3-2 with a 2.72 ERA in six starts for the Dodgers, but did not pitch in the postseason.

His month with the Dodgers marked the first time in Garland’s career that he pitched in a park that is considered to favor pitchers.

Garland became a free agent for a third straight year when the Dodgers opted not to pick up his option for $10 million for 2010. He was given a $2.25 million buyout.

“I take pride in what I do,” Garland said of his durability.

“I wish I were pitching in the day when starters worked every four days and if you didn’t pitch nine innings something was wrong.”

Padres General Manager Jed Hoyer said Garland interested the Padres as soon as the Dodgers declined to pick up his option.

“We were seeking someone with dependability and durability,” Hoyer said. “Jon fits perfectly with what we wanted to accomplish — high, quality innings.

“He’s always pitched in hitter’s parks until the last month of last season. I think he’ll thrive here. We have a lot of talented young pitchers. But it was essential to us to bring in someone who can supply durability.”

The signing of Garland, which became official yesterday afternoon when he passed his physical, also means the Padres payroll will top the $40 million minimum guaranteed by club CEO Jeff Moorad.

Hoyer said the signing of Garland almost completes the Padres roster going into spring training. To make room for Garland on the 40-man roster, the Padres designated 26-year-old reliever Mike Ekstrom, a graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University, for assignment.